Face ID is outdated, Apple now launches new optical ID for security: What it is and how it works

Apple has a habit of showing off new technology, and it’s done a pretty good job of it over the years. The company decided to cut ties with the iPhone 7 and compensate by launching a wireless headphone segment. A few years later, we also saw notches appearing on iPhone screens.

Subsequently, Apple decided to abandon Touch ID and switch to Face ID. Now, the company is rewriting the script again with new Optic ID technology for its Vision Pro headphones. Before you get any idea, Apple won’t be replacing Face ID with new technology, and it looks like the new security feature will be coming to the headphone category. So what is Optic ID, how does it work, and what else do you need to know?Here are the details

Apple Optic ID: What is it

The Apple Vision Pro headphones are a new device and require new security technology for most of their functionality, including payment security. Apple noted in its post about Optic ID: “Just like Touch ID revolutionized authentication using fingerprints and Face ID revolutionized authentication using facial recognition, Optic ID revolutionized authentication using iris recognition. .”

As the name suggests, Optic ID is all about iris scanning, which is completely different from scanning your face with Face ID. Apple claims that Optic ID can verify the unique ID of your iris, ensuring fast unlocking of the Vision Pro headphones. Optic ID also helps you securely pay with Apple Pay, sign in to third-party apps, and hide personal data behind layers. All apps that use Face ID and Touch ID on other Apple devices will be compatible with Optic ID from day one.

Apple Optic ID: How it works

Now that you know what Optic ID is, it’s time to learn about the technology that makes it work. The feature scans both eyes for a unique iris signature and updates the data based on the details provided with each successful authentication. The technology uses advanced hardware and software to help identify your irises. In short, Apple has equipped this headset with a high tracking system of LED and infrared cameras.

Apple says the camera and LED illuminate the eyes to help the Vision Pro headphones identify irises for authentication. “This iris image data is sent to and processed on the Secure Enclave and part of the Apple M2 chip’s neural engine protected by the Secure Enclave, where it is converted into a mathematical representation used for registration. When you authenticate with Optic ID “Authentication attempts to use the same process to compare your irises to registered biometric data to determine a match,” Apple explains of the technology behind the feature.

Yes, Apple guarantees that all biometric data is encrypted, and the company doesn’t back it up to iCloud or anywhere else. You can enable Optic ID by going to Settings in Vision Pro and following the steps below.